KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Information Coordinator Offers Clarification on Homeless Services Grant Program

Grants Pass' Information Coordinator Mike Zacchino has issued a release offering clarification on the Homeless Services Capital Development Grant Program Monday afternoon.

In the statement, he says "the $60,000 … Program released on October 22, 2026, is being offered as required by the Settlement Agreement reached in 2025 between the City of Grants Pass and Disability Rights Oregon. As part of the negotiated settlement in that case the City is obligated to provide this grant funding in addition to the previously issued grant used to construct Parker’s Place Village."

He continued, saying "the agreement language requires the $60,000 in funding to be provided by December 31, 2026, and that it be used for capital development related to any facility including bathroom facilities that supports the delivery of services to homeless individuals, including individuals with disabilities, in the City of Grants Pass."

Posted on 10/27/26 7:23AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office, OSP Alerted to Hit and Run Incident, Suspect Lodged

Law enforcement apprehended the suspect in a motor vehicle collision Monday, lodging him for multiple charges including Assault, Hit and Run, and DUII.

One of the involved vehicles was reported to be on fire at 7:18 p.m. The two vehicles had collided at the corner of N Frontage Road and the Exit 76 On-Ramp. One of the drivers was reportedly drunk, with claims he was trying to kill the other driver, screaming and swinging at him in the process.

All occupants had exited the vehicles, and the suspect was said to have run off northbound on the freeway. Both vehicles were now involved in flames and blocking traffic. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police were alerted to the situation.

The fire was knocked down, the vehicles were towed, and the two injured occupants were transported by American Medical Response. Both had been contacted by police beforehand, and probable cause was established to arrest the suspect, later identified as Arthur Espinoza.

Law enforcement located and took Espinoza into custody for Hit and Run, Third Degree Assault, DUII, Attempted Assault in the Fourth Degree, Reckless Driving, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. He was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/27/26 6:49AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Locate ARCO Thief that Started a Fire by Big 5

A man was arrested after stealing merchandise from an ARCO station and starting a fire Sunday morning.

Dispatch was notified of the suspect acting strange and leaving the 190 NE Terry Lane service station with just over $3 worth of stolen merchandise around 2:14 a.m. The caller wished to pursue theft charges and have the suspect trespassed.

He was seen walking towards a nearby Taco Bell, but upon arrival, officers were unable to locate him.

Later that morning at 3:56 a.m., however, police were alerted to a fire involving a bush and tree about two to three feet tall. Following an investigation, officers located the same suspect and detained him.

He was identified as Connor Snodgrass, and he admitted to starting the landscape fire at Big 5 Sporting Goods. He was arrested and transported to the Adult Jail Facility for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Theft in the Third Degree, and Reckless Burning, the last charge of which wasn't filed by the District Attorney.

Posted on 10/27/26 4:48AM by Alex Bauer

Board, Department Business Up for Consideration after City/County Update

After an 11 a.m. discussion with City representatives Tuesday, the County Commissioners will consider department and board business in the BCC Conference Room.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. the District Attorney will present an amendment to an Oregon Department of Justice Grant adding year two funding, followed by a Finance request for approval to pay 2027 County Membership Dues to the National Association of Counties.

The board will consider approving Forestry Director Dave Streeter to sign a Tree Planting Contract with Rogue River Forestry LLC, then purchase requests from the Sheriff. Also to be discussed is a contingency reduction for the Fund 26 Animal Control Budget.

Following Position Requisitions and Personnel Actions from Human Resources, the board will meet in executive session to discuss real properties in relation to the Flying Lark sale.

Board business will be considered next, including re-appointments to the Josephine Housing and Community Development Council, and the Critical Oregon Airport Relief Grant Program. Lastly, the board's department report for Fiscal Year 2025-26 will be discussed, as well as a proposal potentially implementing the 90-Day Airport Lease Modernization Program.

Posted on 10/26/26 12:31PM by Alex Bauer

Man Arrested by GP Police after Two 911 Calls Report Theft, Disorderly Conduct

Two calls to 911 Sunday reported the same man following incidents at a Little Caesars, leading to the dispatch of Grants Pass Police and the suspect's arrest.

Dispatch was initially alerted at 5:54 p.m. to the suspect after he entered the 1616 Williams Highway restaurant in a threatening manner, demanding a free pizza due to an issue with an order. He then stole soda out of a cooler while leaving the scene on foot.

The caller, an employee of the business, wished to pursue for theft and have the suspect trespassed. Later that evening around 6:13 p.m., another call to 911 reported the same suspect was behind the Little Caesars threatening to smash the caller's windshield with a hammer.

He again left the scene, and arriving officers were unable to locate him. By 8:24 p.m., law enforcement located and detained the suspect, identified as Sean Gunn. He admitted to stealing a Mountain Dew from the restaurant, and was arrested for Third Degree Theft, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

Officers transported Gunn to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 10/26/26 10:29AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon Department of Forestry Drops Fire Danger to Low

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is decreasing the fire danger level from “Moderate” to “Low”, effective immediately. According to ODF this morning, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 1. These changes affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The decrease comes following recent rainfall across Southwest Oregon, with additional precipitation expected in the coming days. Fall weather has also brought cooler daytime and overnight temperatures and improved relative humidity recovery. Despite the decrease in fire danger, fire season is not over, and debris burning remains prohibited. Although cooler temperatures and increased moisture have reduced fire danger, vegetation in some areas remains dry enough to ignite and carry fire. The public is reminded that all current fire season regulations remain in effect, regardless of the lower fire danger level.

Posted on 10/26/26 9:58AM by Alex Bauer

Ashland Police Officer Involved In Shooting

Officers with the Ashland Police Department responded to the area of the 200 block of “A” Street on a report of a business alarm early this morning. Upon arrival after the 2 a.m. report, officers encountered a lone suspect exiting the area of multiple businesses with shattered storefront windows. The suspect approached the officers while armed with a knife. One of the officers fired his department issued sidearm at the suspect, striking the suspect, who was then transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center for treatment by Ashland Fire & Rescue. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is handling this investigation, in conjunction with the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Officers were additionally supported by the Oregon State Police as well as the Medford and Talent Police Departments. Further news releases will be forthcoming from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.

Posted on 10/26/26 9:41AM by Alex Bauer

Rural Metro Tackled, Contained Vehicle Fire following Multiple 911 Calls

An electrical issue is being considered as the cause of a vehicle fire that occurred Saturday at the end of California Ave near the North Valley Industrial Park.

The blaze, which occurred around 9:01 p.m., drew the attention of passing motorists near milepost 61 of Interstate 5. Multiple calls to dispatch alerted Rural Metro to the incident. One engine arrived quickly from the nearby station and contained the fire.

Radiant heat damaged an adjacent RV but the fire did not extend to anything else nearby. No injuries were reported.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:40AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Fire Crews Extinguish Apartment Fire, Five People, Three Pets Displaced

Medford Fire Department crews extinguished a reported apartment fire Saturday in the 2300 block of Finley Lane.

Firefighters were dispatched to the building near Ross Lane and Spring Valley Drive and put out the fire by 3 p.m. The quick response and aggressive firefighting efforts kept the fire contained to one apartment unit, with water damage to the unit directly below. Hot spots were addressed as crews remained on scene and conducted salvage operations.

No injuries were reported. Five people and three pets were displaced, and the American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:30AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Police Continue Fatal Roberts Road Crash Investigation

The Medford Police Department investigation continues for the fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash that occurred Friday morning on Roberts Road near Crater Lake Avenue. The preliminary investigation indicates an adult pedestrian was lying in the roadway when they were struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Roberts Road. The pedestrian died as a result of the crash. MPD’s Inter-Agency Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators are working to determine how the pedestrian came to be in the roadway prior to the collision. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Impairment is not believed to be a factor. The pedestrian has not yet been identified, and investigators are continuing efforts to establish their identity. Roberts Road was closed between Melody Lane and Crater Lake Avenue for several hours while investigators processed the scene, before reopening later that day.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:22AM by Alex Bauer

Search Continues for Two Missing Teens

Two teens were reported to be missing since October 20th at 12:50 p.m. Bradley Schreiber, 14, and Michael Clark, 15, reportedly may be on foot or on bikes, one that's purple and one that's blue. Schreiber has blonde hair, and Clark has brown hair. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these two, call the Grants Pass Police Department Non-Emergency line at 541-450-6260. Reference Case #'s 26-37202 for Schreiber, and #1020-1827-083. Other numbers to call for Schreiber include 503-806-2507, and 413-329-6521. For Clark, call 541-497-3957.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:13AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended, Lodged Man Wanted on Four Warrants

Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on four warrants after receiving a trespass report from the Lithia Dealership.

An employee with the 1421 NE 6th Street business called 911 to report the suspect kept coming back to the store despite being asked to leave. He was caught messing with the vehicles around 5:54 p.m., and it was requested he be trespassed and removed from the lot.

Officers located and detained the suspect, identified as John Scott, after he left the business heading southbound on 7th Street. He was found to be wanted on warrants out of the Oregon Parole Board, and sheriff's offices in Multnomah County, San Francisco County, and Washington County.

Scott was taken into custody for his warrants charging him with Burglary, and two counts each of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and First Degree Criminal Trespass. He was lodged in jail.

Posted on 10/23/26 1:44PM by Alex Bauer

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